Who says kids today don’t know how to jump rope? Well, if you’ve been around the block in Yonkers, you know we’re on a mission to change that! This past August, the rhythm of Double Dutch made a triumphant return with our First Annual “Restoring The Art of Double Dutch” Community Day—and it was nothing short of amazing.

Let me take you back to how it all started. One Facebook post by John Morrison, co-owner of Yonkers Knockouts (shoutout to him and his brother Jericko, along with our girl Marilyn Lopez!), sparked an idea that turned into something beautiful. I, Yolanda Shinault, CEO of All Access Yonkers, Inc., knew this was our moment to bring back the energy, fun, and pure joy of jumping rope. With the support of our incredible community, including City Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy, we locked down Cerrato Park and made magic happen. Lakisha worked her magic too, securing that all-important event permit from Parks & Recreation!

But it wasn’t just any event. This was a day to remember and rekindle the art that so many of us grew up loving. You see, back in the day, sad little girls didn’t sit around— they jumped rope! And not just any rope… Double Dutch. It was how we learned rhythm, teamwork, and even a little healthy competition. We knew we had to pass that baton (or in this case, the rope) to the next generation, because honestly, we can’t let Double Dutch fade away.

The day was packed with fun, competition, and plenty of smiles. We hosted three epic
contests:

1. Longest Jump (how long can you stay in that rope groove?)
2. Most Pop-Ups (show us your hops!)
3. Footwork Frenzy (those quick steps that’ll make you dizzy!)

And trust me, the competition was fierce! Kids, teens, and even adults got in on the action, each jump bringing generations closer together.

But we didn’t stop there. We had special guest appearances that made the day even sweeter. Mayor Mike Spano and his team showed up with some serious community love, alongside Latasha Diaz, and they closed out the event in the best way possible— by treating everyone to 100 ice cream cups from Carvel! Now, if that doesn’t make an event a success, I don’t know what does.

Once the contests wrapped up, it was all about passing on the knowledge. We held hands-on tutorials, teaching the kids how to turn the ropes, time their jumps, and most importantly—how to have FUN. It was like watching history unfold in real-time, the younger generation picking up the ropes and jumping like they were born for it.

This event was more than just a fun day in the park. It was a reminder that our history,
our games, and our culture are worth preserving. And with the support of our volunteers, partners, and generous sponsors, we’re going to keep this momentum going. Because in Yonkers, we believe that sad little girls shouldn’t just sit on the
sidelines—they should jump, laugh, and compete like champions.

So let’s keep jumping, Yonkers! Next time, we’ll see even more faces, more ropes, and more joy as we continue to grow stronger together.